Former Iowa Star Kate Martin Waived Again, Lands in Unrivaled League
Former Iowa Hawkeyes standout Kate Martin was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, but the Illinois native already has her next move lined up. On the same day the Sparks cut her, the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league announced Martin had re-signed for its upcoming offseason season.
Martin, who became a fan favorite during her time in Iowa City, has now been cut twice this year. The Golden State Valkyries waived her at the start of the 2026 WNBA season after selecting her in the expansion draft from the Las Vegas Aces. The Sparks then picked her up on a developmental contract.
What is Unrivaled?
Unrivaled is a professional 3-on-3 women's basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league, which bills itself as the 'Champions League of women's basketball,' announced a $650 million valuation on Monday. Martin will rejoin the league for its second season starting in January.
Martin's WNBA journey this season
Martin played the entire 2025 campaign with the Valkyries, averaging 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. When the Sparks opened their 2026 season in May, Martin told reporters that being cut by Golden State 'was brutal' as she fought back tears.
She scored a season-high 11 points for Los Angeles in a loss to the Toronto Tempo on May 17. On July 6, the Sparks made Martin the first player in franchise history to be upgraded from the development pool to a standard WNBA contract. Then-general manager Raegan Pebley praised Martin's 'versatility on both ends of the floor.'
However, Martin's playing time dropped significantly in July. Even after coach Lynne Roberts said in August that ownership had 'asked that bench players receive playing time rest of the season,' Martin's minutes remained limited. Roberts credited the front office for already having data on Martin while other players needed time to prove themselves.
Martin finished her Sparks tenure with 17 games played, averaging 2.3 points per game.
What other moves did the Sparks make?
The Sparks also claimed Aaliyah Nye off waivers, signed Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to a developmental deal, and waived Alissa Pili.
Nye was waived from her standard contract by the Atlanta Dream to make room for veteran center DeWanna Bonner. After winning a championship with the Aces, Nye was drafted by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft but was cut before the season started.
Pili, who signed a developmental deal around the same time as Martin, played five games and averaged 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds. Mwenentanda went undrafted in April after playing for Texas and Vanderbilt. She played five games this season for the Valkyries.
What's next for the Sparks?
The Sparks (14-25) have already been eliminated from postseason contention. They next play the Seattle Storm on Sunday as they close out the final five games of their regular season.
For Martin, the move to Unrivaled keeps her playing competitive basketball during the WNBA offseason. The league has quickly become a destination for top women's players looking to stay sharp and earn additional income.
Why does this matter for Iowa fans?
Martin remains one of the most beloved recent products of the Iowa women's basketball program. Her relentless work ethic and team-first mentality made her a cornerstone of the Hawkeyes' success alongside Caitlin Clark. While her WNBA path has been rocky, her ability to land with Unrivaled shows she remains a valued commodity in professional women's basketball.
Iowa fans will likely follow her Unrivaled season closely, watching a player who always found a way to contribute at every level she has played.